Track and Field News Releases

Hawkins places eighth in mile run to earn All-America honors

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Cornell College senior Rachelle Hawkins (Boise, Idaho/Bishop Kelly) earned All-America honors with an eighth-place finish in the finals of the mile run Saturday afternoon at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships, hosted by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Hawkins raced to a time of 5 minutes, 2.81 seconds in the 10-woman field. She held off Washington & Lee's Elizabeth Webb (5:03.90) for the final spot on the All-America podium, awarded to the top eight finishers.

"Rachelle ran her two fastest times in the mile on a 200-meter track this weekend to ensure her All-America status," Cornell head coach Lonnie Speidel said. "She ran a very smart race on Friday to qualify for the final on Saturday. In the finals she got out well, ran with the pack most of the race and hung on during the last 400 meters for eighth place.

"After qualifying for cross country nationals and now earning All-American in indoors, Rachelle is very hungry for the outdoor season."

Hawkins became the third female in school history to garner All-America status in indoor track and field, joining Lynn Schneider (third in shot put, 2005) and Julie Carne (seventh in 400 dash, 2002). The Rams have crowned a total of 10 indoor track and field All-Americans.

Hawkins, a first-time national track qualifier, entered the championships seeded ninth out of 15 competitors with a school-record time of 4:59.88. She placed third in the second of two preliminary heats Friday with a mark of 5:01.70, which qualified her eighth for Saturday's finals.

Ayla Mitchell, a senior from UW-Oshkosh, raced to a winning time of 4:54.66. Bethel's Marie Borner, the 2008 champion, settled for second in 4:55.41. Coe's Ashley Schnell took third in 4:55.95.

Cornell sophomore thrower Madison Craw (Mason City/Mason City) also made her national championships debut this weekend, competing in Saturday's shot put. She finished eighth in her preliminary flight and did not advance to the finals. Craw's best toss covered 41 feet, 10 inches.

Craw was seeded 13th in the 15-woman field, qualifying with a provisional mark of 43-08.75. Montclair State sophomore Monique Riddick repeated as the shot put champion with a toss of 47-02.50. Mercedes Hicks, of New Jersey City, was runner-up with a mark of 46-06. Wartburg's Sarah Hoffmann took fourth (45-05.75).

"Madison was technically sound in her throws at nationals, but just didn't have the power behind them," Speidel said. "She's young, so this was a great experience for her and the future. She's motivated to get back here and be an All-American."

Coming up - Thursday-Saturday, March 26-28, at Rhodes Invitational, Memphis, Tenn.